Fox News Poll: Marijuana Legalization Support Hits Record High

Recreational marijuana is legal in 9 states and Washington D.C., and a new Fox News Poll has found that a record number of American voters now favor legalization.

The poll indicates that 59% of voters support marijuana legalization, which represents an 8% increase from 2015 and 13% from 2013, Fox News reports. Opposition to legalization decreased from 49% in 2013 to 32% in 2018.

Chris Anderson, who conducted the poll in partnership with Daron Shaw, said, “This is a massive shift in opinion over a very short period. As more states legalize marijuana without the negative consequences opponents have warned about, support will likely continue to increase.”

The poll also found that 72% of millennials support legalization compared to 60% of Gen-Xers and 52% of Baby Boomers.

68% of Democrats and 67% of Independents support legalization, while Republicans were at 46%. Overall, 59% of politicians favor legalization.

61% of very conservative voters and 53% of white evangelical Christians still oppose legalization. The opposition in those groups is down previous polls.

Shaw said, “When you look at the growing percentage of people who say they support legalizing marijuana, especially among those under 30 years of age, it’s obvious why the Democrats are anxious to get pot initiatives on the ballot in statewide elections.”